JP5317458B2 - Network system and network system management method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correctly select target equipment, based on the outline view displayed on a screen. <P>SOLUTION: Network equipment connected via a network is managed by a main management device by managing an image, which is photographed by a photographic device connected through the network, and specific discrimination information which is specific to a device, assigned to each of the network equipment connected via the network, corresponding to one another. According to this constitution, the network equipment can be specified based on the natural discrimination information extracted from an image file; and even identical network equipment or even very similar network equipment can be discriminated, based on the difference in the background of the image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a network system and a network system management method, and more particularly to a technique suitable for managing a device via a communication network such as a LAN.

  A network device that allows users to select the appearance of multiple devices such as copy, fax, printer, and scanner connected to the network, and select, control, and monitor the devices they want to use while they are in remote locations. Management devices are known.

  In an example of a conventional network device management apparatus, external view data of its own device is recorded in advance on the device side connected to the network. Then, the client terminal acquires an external view of a plurality of devices connected to the network, and displays the external view on the screen. As described above, there is a device that can be controlled and monitored after selecting a network connection device to be used while viewing an external view (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-268783 (5th page, FIG. 3)

  However, in the “image creation system” described in Patent Document 1, when two or more models of the same model or very similar to each other are connected, only an external view displayed on the client terminal screen is used. In some cases, the target device could not be selected correctly. For this reason, there is a problem that even if a network connection device different from the target is operated, it is not noticed.

  In order to solve such a problem, it is conceivable to make a determination based on a combination of calling keys such as numerical keys in addition to the external view. However, when the installation layout is changed by moving or the like and then determined by the same determination method as described above, there is a problem that it is not guaranteed that the connection to the same device is performed again.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to correctly select a target network device based on an external view displayed on a screen.

The network system of the present invention is a system for managing a network device connected to a communication network to which at least an imaging device and a management device are connected, and the management device is a network device connected to the communication network. A storage unit that adds and stores identification information to a registered image indicating the network device, a communication unit, and when a new network device is connected to the communication network, performs communication via the communication unit, Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the newly connected network device, identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means, and identification information added to a registered image stored in the storage means Information processing means for verifying, and as a result of the verification, the newly connected network device Is an unregistered device, the identification information of the unregistered device is transmitted to the imaging device, and the identification information of the unregistered device is transmitted to the imaging device. appended, when the image which the imaging device is taken received from the imaging device, an image received from the imaging device, as a registered image showing the network apparatus is the registered device, the identification of the unregistered equipment The information is stored together with the information by the storage means.

The network system management method of the present invention is a network system management method including an imaging device and a management device connected to a network, and the management information on identification information of a device connected to the network is managed by the imaging device. Acquired from the apparatus, the acquired identification information is added to the captured image and transmitted to the management apparatus, and the management apparatus transmits identification information of a device connected to the network to the imaging apparatus, After transmitting the identification information of the device connected to the network to the imaging device, and receiving the image with the identification information transmitted to the imaging device from the imaging device, the image with the identification information added , It is memorize | stored as an image which shows the apparatus connected to the said network .

The program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute each step of management of a network system having a photographing device and a management device connected to a network, and identifying the device connected to the network by the photographing device. The information is acquired from the management device, the acquired identification information is added to the captured image and transmitted to the management device, and the management device transmits the identification information of the device connected to the network to the imaging device. After transmitting the identification information of the device connected to the network to the imaging device, and when receiving the image with the identification information transmitted to the imaging device from the imaging device , the identification information is added. the images, this for executing be stored as an image showing the device connected to the network to the computer The features.

According to the present invention, when an unregistered network device is connected, the identification information of the unregistered device is transmitted to the imaging device, and the image to which the identification information of the unregistered device is added is received from the imaging device. In this case, since the received image is stored as the registered image indicating the unregistered device together with the identification information of the unregistered device, the network device can be easily identified simply by confirming the registered image. Become. As a result, even when a plurality of network devices of the same type are connected, they can be easily identified .

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network device discrimination management system according to a first embodiment to which the invention is applied.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a communication network such as a home network, which performs communication by wire or wireless.

  A main management apparatus 101 is connected to the communication network 100 and manages connection and disconnection of other network devices, remote operation, and the like. The main management apparatus 101 controls the registration operation of an image file used for an operation instruction or the like as indicating a device connected to the communication network 100, and stores the image file.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a main management apparatus control unit that accesses each unit of the main management apparatus 101 and performs overall control. Reference numeral 103 denotes a unique information storage unit that stores identification information of the main management apparatus 101 unique to a device on a global scale. Reference numeral 104 denotes an operation key for inputting an instruction to the main management apparatus control unit 102. Reference numeral 105 denotes a display unit that can display images, characters, and videos generated by the main management apparatus control unit 102. Reference numeral 106 denotes a communication unit that controls and executes communication via the communication network 100.

  Reference numeral 107 denotes a registered image storage unit that stores an image used for an operation instruction or the like indicating the connected device. An information processing unit 108 extracts the unique identification information from the registered image file and collates it with the unique identification information received by the communication unit. Reference numeral 109 denotes a self-image storage unit that stores a self-image indicating the device itself.

  Reference numeral 111 denotes a network-compatible operation device that enters between the home appliance 118 that cannot be directly controlled via the communication network 100 and the main management device 101 and converts a control signal via the communication network 100. The network-compatible operation device 111 enables remote operations such as turning on / off the power of the home appliance 118 and a timer function, for example.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes a network operation device control unit that accesses each unit of the network compatible operation device 111 and performs overall control. An operation key 113 is used to input an instruction to the network operation device control unit 112. Reference numeral 114 denotes an external operation unit that operates the home appliance 118. For example, an external device operation unit such as a power supply unit or an infrared light emitting unit.

  A communication unit 115 controls and executes communication via the communication network 100. Reference numeral 116 denotes a unique information storage unit that stores identification information of a network-compatible operating device unique to a device on a global scale. Reference numeral 117 denotes a self-image storage unit that stores a self-image indicating the self-device. Reference numeral 118 denotes a non-network-compatible home appliance that is operated by the network-compatible operation device 111.

  Reference numeral 121 denotes an image capturing apparatus that captures an image used for an operation instruction or the like, indicating an apparatus connected to the communication network 100. Reference numeral 122 denotes an imaging apparatus control unit that accesses each unit of the imaging apparatus 121 and performs overall control. Reference numeral 123 denotes a unique information storage unit that stores identification information of a photographing apparatus unique to a device on a global scale. A file processing unit 124 processes a captured image in accordance with the file format. A communication unit 125 controls and executes communication via the communication network 100.

  An operation key 126 is used to input an instruction to the photographing apparatus control unit 122. Reference numeral 127 denotes a display unit that can display images, characters, and videos generated by the photographing apparatus control unit 122. An imaging unit 128 outputs light as digital data by photoelectric conversion. Reference numeral 129 denotes a self-image storage unit that stores a self-image indicating the device itself.

  Reference numeral 131 denotes a network compatible content reproduction apparatus connected to the communication network 100, and is configured to be able to transmit and receive data and control signals via the communication network 100. For example, content reproduction is possible on a network compatible computer screen or a network compatible TV monitor.

  Reference numeral 132 denotes a network recording / playback device control unit that accesses each unit of the network compatible content playback device 131 and performs overall control. Reference numeral 133 denotes a video / audio processing unit which processes video / audio in accordance with a video / audio format. An alarm unit 134 is instructed by the network recording / reproducing apparatus control unit 132 to generate a beep sound or light such as an LED.

  Reference numeral 135 denotes a communication unit that controls and executes communication via the communication network 100. Reference numeral 136 denotes an operation key for inputting an instruction to the network recording / reproducing apparatus control unit 132. Reference numeral 137 denotes a display unit that can display images, characters, and videos generated by the network recording / playback apparatus control unit 132. Reference numeral 138 denotes a unique information storage unit that stores identification information of a network-compatible content playback device unique to a device on a global scale. Reference numeral 139 denotes a self-image storage unit that stores a self-image indicating the device itself.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a procedure in which a user takes an image of the network-compatible operating device 111 or the network-compatible content reproduction device 131 in the main management apparatus 101 and registers the image. The procedure for registering an image will be described below using the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 200, the user connects a network cable to a network device such as the network-compatible operation device 111 or the network-compatible content reproduction device 131 for which an image for discrimination management is to be registered. Then, the power is turned on to enable network communication, and the process proceeds to step S201. Since the present embodiment is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of wired communication, a network cable is connected. However, in the case of wireless communication, it is obvious that communication can be performed only by turning on the power.

  Next, in step S201, the user continues the connection work until all devices to be registered are connected. Then, when all the connection work is completed, the process proceeds to step S202. In the present embodiment, registration is performed by connecting together, but registration may be repeated by connecting one by one.

  In step S202, the camera serving as the photographing apparatus 121 is switched to the device registration photographing mode, and the process proceeds to step S203. The device registration shooting mode is a mode in which a captured image is stored in an image file format in which unique identification information of a network device to be registered is added as additional information.

  In step S203, the process waits until selection items for the number of network devices to be registered are displayed on the display of the camera. When the selection items for the number of items are displayed, it means that the main management apparatus control unit 102 functioning as the unique identification information acquisition unit has acquired the unique identification information, and the process proceeds to step S204. In step S204, it is detected that the user wants to register the device to be turned on and off. Note that the processing in step S204 is not limited to turning on / off the power source as long as it is an operation that can identify and identify the unique identification information when the device to be identified is operated.

  Next, in step S205, the process waits until one of the selection items displayed on the display of the camera starts blinking. As a result of waiting, if the blinking is started, it means that the device and the unique identification information can be specified, and the process proceeds to step S206.

  In step S206, the user captures the device to be registered at a desired angle of view to be registered, and the captured data is stored in the storage medium. Thereafter, in step S207, it is determined whether or not all devices to be registered have been photographed. For example, even if the device itself connected to the network is the network-compatible operation device 111, the image is captured at an angle of view including the home appliance 118 that does not support the network that is finally operated.

  In this way, by taking a picture at an angle of view including the network-incompatible home appliance 118 that is finally operated, even if a plurality of network-compatible operation devices 111 are connected, the operation is finally performed. The discrimination using the image of each home appliance 118 can be performed. Therefore, accidents such as erroneous operations due to erroneous determination are less likely to occur.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S207, if not all of the devices to be registered have been photographed, the process returns to step S204 to repeat the above-described processing, and the identification of the device and unique identification information and the photographing process are continued by the user. . As a result of the determination in step S207, when all the shootings are completed, the process proceeds to step S208.

  In step S208, the image file with the unique identification information of the network device added as additional information is transmitted to the main management apparatus 101, and the registration procedure is terminated. The image file is stored in the main management apparatus 101 and can be used for an operation instruction from the main management apparatus 101 and the like, indicating the connected device.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a procedure in which the main management apparatus control unit 102 prompts photographing of a network device and executes image registration. Hereinafter, an example of a procedure for executing image registration will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S300, communication data is acquired from the communication unit 106 and sent to the main management apparatus control unit 102, and the process proceeds to step S301. In step S301, it is determined whether or not the network device has newly requested communication. If the result of this determination is that communication has not been requested, the registration execution process is terminated.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S301, if communication is newly requested, the process proceeds to step S302. That is, if a new network device is connected, the process proceeds to step S302, and if not connected, the process ends.

  In step S <b> 302, the main management apparatus control unit 102 acquires device-specific identification information of the network device that has newly started communication from the communication data of the communication unit 106, and sends the acquired information to the information processing unit 108. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S303.

  In step S303, it is checked whether or not an image file to which the same identification information as the identification information acquired in step S302 is added is already stored in the registered image storage unit 107. As a result of this collation, if there is an image file to which the same identification information is added, the process proceeds to step S304. On the other hand, if it is an unregistered device and there is no image file to which the same identification information is added, the process proceeds to step S305 to prompt the unregistered device to take an image.

  In step S304, the image of the image file to which the same identification information as the acquired identification information is added is reduced. Then, the reduced image is displayed on the display unit 105 under the control of the main management device control unit 102 functioning as an image display unit, and then the process proceeds to step S306. In the present embodiment, the device that is connected is determined by a thumbnail image (reduced image). On the other hand, in step S305, the acquired identification information is listed as an image registration target device, and then the process proceeds to step S306.

  In step S306, the identification information acquired in step S302 is collated with the identification information added to the image file stored in the registered image storage unit 107. If all the collations have not been completed, the process returns to step S303 and the above-described process is repeated. When all the collations are completed, the process proceeds to step S307.

  In step S307, it is determined whether or not the registration target device is listed as a result of the collation performed in step S306. As a result of the determination, if it is listed, the process proceeds to step S308, and if it is not listed, the process is terminated. In step S <b> 308, the listed identification information is transmitted to the imaging device 121. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S309.

  In step S309, it is determined whether there is identification information that repeatedly appears and disappears. If there is no such identification information as a result of this determination, the process waits until there is identification information that repeatedly appears and disappears. If it exists, the process proceeds to step S310. Note that the appearance and disappearance are repeated because, as described in step S204 in FIG. 2, the user turns on / off the power of the device to be registered. This is the step of specifying the correspondence between the device and the identification information. It is.

  In step S <b> 310, an instruction to cause the display unit 127 to display the identification information that repeatedly appears and disappears is transmitted to the imaging apparatus 121. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S311.

  In step S311, it is determined whether all the identification information listed has been specified and blinking display has been instructed. As a result of this determination, if not all are specified, the process returns to step S309 and is repeated until the above-described process is specified. Moreover, if all the items are specified as a result of the determination in step S311, the process proceeds to step S312. Note that specifying all of the listed identification information and instructing blinking display means that the user turns on / off the power of the device to be registered one by one as described in step S207 of FIG. In this step, the photographing process is repeated.

  In step S <b> 312, the process waits until all registered images of the devices, which are identification information listed, are received from the imaging apparatus 121. Then, when all the information has been received, the process proceeds to step S313. Waiting until all are received means that all the image files to which the unique identification information of the network device is added as additional information are transmitted to the main management apparatus 101 as described in step S208 of FIG.

  In step S <b> 313, the image file to which the identification information received from the imaging device 121 is added as additional information is stored in the registered image storage unit 107. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S314.

  In step S314, the acquired identification information is added and stored as an image file, and the image is reduced and displayed on the display unit 105, and the process ends. In this way, even if the number of connected devices increases, the discrimination is performed with the thumbnail image registered by the original shooting.

  FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a processing procedure in which the imaging device control unit 122 that is prompted to take a network device executes creation and storage of a registered image based on the imaging target device information transmitted from the main management device 101. It is a flowchart. Hereinafter, an example of a processing procedure for creating and saving a registered image will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S400, the photographing mode is switched to the device registration mode, and then the process proceeds to step S401.
In step S401, the identification information of the registration target device received from the main management apparatus 101 is received from the communication unit 125, and the process proceeds to step S402. Here, instead of receiving the identification information of the registration target device from the main management apparatus 101 via communication, it may be received from the main management apparatus 101 via a removable external memory.

  In step S <b> 402, selection items for the number of registered target devices received are displayed on the display unit 127. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S403. For example, “registration candidate 1”, “registration candidate 2”, etc., the meaning does not matter as long as the number of units can be grasped.

  In step S403, it is determined whether an instruction for blinking specific identification information is received from the main management apparatus 101. As a result of this determination, if received, the process proceeds to step S404. If not received, the process proceeds to step S407. In the present embodiment, the selection item in which the specific device and the identification information can be linked is displayed in a blinking manner. However, it may be a conspicuous display, for example, a different color display or an enlarged display.

  In step S404, when preparation completion is displayed on the display unit 127, the operation key 126 is operated to wait for shooting at a desired angle of view to be registered. Then, when shooting is performed, the process proceeds to step S405.

  In step S405, the image output from the imaging unit 128 is sent to the file processing unit 124. The file processing unit 124 functions as an image file creation unit, and creates an image file by adding identification information specified at the time of shooting to the image additional information. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S406.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of the image file generated in step S405, and addresses are assigned from top to bottom. The image data exists in the address space between the image data start tag and the image data end tag. The header exists before the image data start tag, and additional information can be added. In general, information such as the shooting date and time, the name of the camera manufacturer and the model name is added to the header. One feature of this embodiment is that identification information unique to a network device is added to the header.

  On the other hand, when the process proceeds from step S 403 to step S 407, its own identification information is acquired from the unique information storage unit 123. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S408. In step S408, it is determined whether the device desired to be registered is the photographing apparatus 121 itself. As a result of this determination, if it is itself, the process proceeds to step S409, and if not, the process returns to step S403 and the above-described process is repeated.

  In step S409, the reversal mode in which the output of the image capturing unit 128 is switched left and right is switched so that characters are turned over even if the image capturing apparatus 121 itself reflected in the mirror is captured. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S410.

  In step S410, the display unit 127 displays the completion of preparation and waits for shooting with a desired angle of view to be registered by the operation key 126. And if it image | photographs, it will transfer to the process of step S411.

  In step S <b> 411, the horizontally reversed image output from the imaging unit 128 is sent to the file processing unit 124. The file processing unit 124 functions as an image file creation unit, and creates an image file by adding its own identification information to the image additional information. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S406.

  In step S406, the file processing unit 124 stores the image file. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S412.

  In step S412, it is determined whether all the devices to be registered have been shot and stored. As a result of the determination, if the image is stored, the process proceeds to step S413. If not, the process returns to step S403 to repeat the above-described process.

  In step S413, the communication unit 125 transmits an image file in which identification information is added to the image additional information to the main management apparatus 101. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S414.

  In step S414, it is determined whether all the image files have been transmitted from the communication unit 125 to the main management apparatus 101. If the result of this determination is that transmission is complete, the processing is terminated. Here, instead of transmitting the image file in which the identification information is added to the image additional information to the main management apparatus 101, the image file may be read into the main management apparatus 101 via a removable external memory.

  FIG. 6 is a timing diagram of a procedure for registering an image of a device. In FIG. 6, horizontal movement represents exchanges between devices, and the vertical direction represents temporally sequential operations and procedures. 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. FIG.

  First, when a device is connected so as to correspond to the processing in step S201 in FIG. 2, communication is performed with the main management apparatus 101 so as to correspond to the processing in step S300 in FIG. Meanwhile, the imaging device 121 switches to the device registration mode so as to correspond to step S202 in FIG. 2 and step S400 in FIG.

  After the communication, as described in step S303 in FIG. 3, the main management apparatus 101 is collating the identification information. When the collation is completed, the identification information of the registration target device is transmitted to the photographing apparatus 121 as described in step S308 in FIG. 3 and step S401 in FIG. Then, the imaging device 121 displays a registered device list so as to correspond to the processing performed in step S203 of FIG. 2 and step S402 of FIG.

  Next, when the user goes to the device to be registered and repeats the operation of the power supply of the device as described in step S <b> 204 in FIG. 2, the identification information is retransmitted many times to the main management apparatus 101. The main management apparatus 101 specifies device identification information as described in step S309 in FIG. Then, the imaging apparatus 121 is instructed to specially display the identified identification information so as to correspond to the processing performed in steps S310 and S303 in FIG.

  As corresponding to the processing performed in step S206 in FIG. 2, when the special display is confirmed, the power supply operation is terminated, and the photographing operation corresponding to step S206 in FIG. 2 is started. When shooting is completed as in the process performed in step S404 in FIG. 4, a file is generated as in the process performed in step S405, and the file is saved as in step S406.

  Next, when the photographing apparatus 121 finishes photographing and saves the file, the image management apparatus 121 manages the image file to which the identification image is added, corresponding to the processing performed in step S208 in FIG. 2 and step S413 in FIG. Move to device 101.

  The main management apparatus 101 that has acquired the image file with the identification information added thereto can display a thumbnail image as described in step S314 in FIG. 3 when indicating that the device is connected thereafter. become.

  As described above, when the image file in which the unique identification information of the device is added to the original photographed image does not exist on the main network device discrimination management system, the network device discrimination management system prompts registration using the imaging device 121.

  In addition, the network device identification management system identifies the unique identification information of the device from among a plurality of pieces of identification information notified to the image capturing device 121 by a specific operation performed on the device to be registered, and re-notifies the image capturing device 121. To do.

  As a result of the processing described above, an image file in which the unique identification information of the device is added as additional information of the image to the original image of the device captured by the image capturing device 121 is registered in the network device identification management system. The

  Thereafter, the device is specified by the unique identification information extracted from the image file of the original photograph existing in the network device identification management system. For this reason, even if it is the same or very similar apparatus, there exists an effect that the apparatus which wants to select can be correctly discriminate | determined from additional information, such as a background difference of an image.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a network device discrimination management system according to a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described.
Since the hardware configuration of the apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, description of the drawings is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a procedure in which a user takes an image of the network-compatible operation device 111 or the network-compatible content playback device 131 in the main management apparatus 101 and registers the image. The procedure for registering an image will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S701, the process waits for completion of the operation of connecting the network cable to the network device such as the network-compatible operation device 111 or the network-compatible content playback device 131 to be registered with the discrimination management image. After the network cable is connected, when the user turns on the power and enables network communication, the main management device control unit 102 of the main management device 101 detects the end of the connection work. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S702. Since the present embodiment is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of wired communication, a network cable is connected. However, in the case of wireless communication, it is obvious that communication can be performed only by turning on the power. In this embodiment, a plurality of network devices are connected and registered together, but the registration work may be repeated by connecting one device at a time.

  In step S <b> 702, the camera serving as the photographing apparatus 121 is switched to the device registration photographing mode. Thereafter, the procedure proceeds to step S703. Here, the device registration shooting mode is a mode in which the captured image is stored in an image file format in which the unique identification information of the network device to which the video to be registered is added is added as additional information.

  In step S703, the process waits until selection items for the number of network devices to be registered are displayed on the display of the camera. If the selection items for the number of items are displayed, it means that the unique identification information has been acquired, and the process proceeds to step S704.

  In step S704, processing is performed in which the photographer designates identification information to be specified from the unique identification information displayed by the camera operation. When identification information is designated by the photographer, the process proceeds to step S705.

  In step S705, the network device discrimination management system outputs an instruction to the device having the specified identification information to generate an alert sound that the photographer notices, and determines whether the alert sound is heard by the photographer. To do. In this step S705, if the photographer does not hear the alert sound, the photographer moves to the position where the alarm sound can be heard by moving in the direction of hearing. In step S705, the operation for instructing the device having the unique identification information to be specified by the network device identification management system is not limited to sound such as vibration and light as long as the photographer notices it. The photographer operates the operation key 104 when an alert sound is heard. By performing this operation, a device that emits an alert sound is identified in step S706. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S707.

  In step S707, photographing processing using the photographing device 121 is performed. In other words, the device that the photographer wants to register is photographed at a desired angle of view that the user wants to register. When such photographing is performed by the photographer, image information is sent from the photographing apparatus 121 to the main management apparatus 101. Thereafter, the procedure proceeds to step S708.

  In step S708, it is determined whether all devices to be registered have been photographed. If the result of this determination is that photographing has not been completed, processing returns to step S704 and the above processing is repeated. If it is determined that all shooting has been completed, an image file to which the unique identification information of the network device is added as additional information is transmitted to the main management apparatus 101 (step S709). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S710.

  The image file transmitted from the photographing apparatus 121 is stored in the main management apparatus 101 and can be used for an operation instruction from the main management apparatus 101 and the like, indicating the connected device. Further, each image file is stored in the network device itself and indicates the connected device, and thereafter can be used for an operation instruction from the main management apparatus 101.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a procedure in which the main management apparatus control unit 102 executes registration of an image after transmitting the identification information of the registration target device to the imaging device. Hereinafter, an example of a procedure for executing image registration will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S800, the listed identification information is transmitted to the photographing apparatus 121, and the process proceeds to step S801.
In step S801, it is determined whether identification information to be specified is specified from the imaging device 121. If not, the process waits until it is specified. If designated, the process proceeds to step S802.

In step S802, an instruction is transmitted so that an alert is generated for a device having identification information to be specified. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S803.
In step S803, it is determined whether an alert has been issued for all of the identification information listed. As a result of this determination, if not all have been instructed to generate an alert, the process returns to step S801, and the above-described process is repeated. When all the instructions are completed, the process proceeds to step S804.

  In step S <b> 804, it is determined whether all registered images of the devices that are identification information listed are received from the imaging apparatus 121. If the result of this determination is that it has not been received, it waits until all are received. As a result of this determination, if all are received, the process proceeds to step S805.

  In step S <b> 805, the image file to which the identification information received from the imaging device 121 is added as additional information is stored in the registered image storage unit 107. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S806.

In step S806, the image file to which the identification information received from the imaging device 121 is added as additional information is transmitted to each network device corresponding to the identification information. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S807.
In step S807, the acquired identification information is added and the image stored as an image file is reduced and displayed on the display unit 105. When this display is finished, the process is terminated.

Devices connected to the network can be operated remotely.
FIG. 9 is an image diagram of registered image group display. In the display unit 105, devices grouped as a device group can be confirmed with a registered image. In the example shown in FIG. 9, “living room TV image 9a”, “living room AV amplifier image 9b”, and “living room V player 9c” are displayed on the display unit 105. By displaying in this way, it is possible to determine whether unnecessary devices are not included in the device group for which power control and the like are to be performed simultaneously.

  As described above, when the connected network device does not have an image file in which the unique identification information of the device is added to the original captured image, the network device determination management system prompts registration using the image capturing device 121. To do.

  Further, in this embodiment, the network device discrimination management system instructs the photographer to notice the device having the identification information designated from the imaging device 121 among the plurality of identification information notified to the imaging device 121. I was going to put out. This allows the photographer to specify a device having identification information.

  In addition, an image file in which the unique identification information of the device is added as additional information of the image is registered in the device with respect to the image in which the image capturing apparatus 121 originally captured the device. Thereby, the device can be specified by the unique identification information extracted from the image file of the original photograph existing in the network device thereafter. For this reason, even if it is the same or very similar apparatus, there exists an effect that it can discriminate | determine from additional information, such as a background difference of an image.

  In the network device discrimination management system of the present embodiment, image files can be handled as image file groups. Accordingly, there is an effect that it is possible to reliably determine what is included in the device group on which the collective operation is performed from the image displayed on the display unit 105.

(Another embodiment according to the present invention)
Each means constituting the network device discrimination management system in the above-described embodiment of the present invention can be realized by operating a program stored in a RAM or ROM of a computer. This program and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program are included in the present invention.

  In addition, the present invention can be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like, and can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices. Moreover, you may apply to the apparatus which consists of one apparatus.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, 7, and 8) that executes each process in the network device discrimination management method described above is used as a system or Supply the equipment directly or remotely. In addition, this includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, and the like.

  Various recording media can be used as a recording medium for supplying the program. For example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD- R).

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. The computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from the homepage by downloading it to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

  It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let me. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing. Also, the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a block diagram which shows embodiment of this invention and shows an example of a network apparatus discrimination | determination management system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for registering an image of a device according to the embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure in which the main management apparatus performs image registration according to the embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure in which an image capturing apparatus performs image registration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the image file structure of embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows embodiment of this invention and demonstrates an example of the procedure which carries out image registration of an apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for registering an image of a device according to the embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure in which the main management apparatus performs image registration according to the embodiment of this invention. It is an image figure which shows embodiment of this invention and shows an example of a registered image display.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Communication network 101 Main management apparatus 102 Main management apparatus control part 103 Specific information storage part 104 of main management apparatus Operation key 105 of main management apparatus Display part 106 of main management apparatus Communication part 107 of main management apparatus Registered main management apparatus Image storage unit 108 Information processing unit 109 of main management device Self-image storage unit 111 of main management device Network operation device 112 Network operation device control unit 113 of network operation device 113 Network operation device operation key 114 External of network operation device External operation unit 115 for operating a device Communication unit 116 for a network-compatible operation device Specific information storage unit 117 for a network-compatible operation device Self-image storage unit 118 for a network-compatible operation device 118 Non-network-compatible home appliance 121 Imaging device 122 Imaging device Device control 123 Imaging Device Specific Information Storage Unit 124 Imaging Device File Processing Unit 125 Imaging Device Communication Unit 126 Imaging Device Operation Key 127 Imaging Device Display Unit 128 Imaging Device Imaging Unit 129 Imaging Device Self Image Storage Unit 131 Network Support Content playback device 132 Network playback device controller 133 of network compatible content playback device Video / audio processing unit 134 of network compatible content playback device Alarm unit 135 of network compatible content playback device Communication unit 136 of network compatible content playback device Network compatible content playback device Operation key 137 Display unit 138 of network compatible content playback device Specific information storage unit 139 of network compatible content playback device Self image storage unit of network compatible content playback device

Claims (10)

A system for managing network devices connected to a communication network to which at least a photographing device and a management device are connected,
The management device
When a network device is newly connected to the communication device, a storage device that stores the identification information of the network device connected to the communication network in addition to a registration image indicating the network device, and a storage device. An identification information acquisition unit that communicates via the communication unit and acquires identification information of the newly connected network device, the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit, and stored in the storage unit Information processing means for collating the identification information added to the registered image,
As a result of the verification, if the newly connected network device is an unregistered device, the identification information of the unregistered device is transmitted to the imaging device,
After the identification information of the unregistered device is transmitted to the imaging device, the image captured by the imaging device to which the identification information of the unregistered device is added is received from the imaging device. network system, characterized in that the image, as a registered image showing the network apparatus is the unregistered device is stored by said storing means together with the identification information of the unregistered device. A system for managing network devices connected to a communication network to which at least a photographing device and a management device are connected,
A network device connected to the communication network includes unique information storage means for storing unique identification information unique to the network device, and unique identification information stored in the unique information storage means. Communication means for transmitting to the management device via
The photographing apparatus creates an image file by adding the unique identification information received to the image generated by the photographing means and the photographing means, and receiving the unique identification information of the network device from the management device. Image file creating means for transmitting to the management device;
The management device transmits the unique identification information received from the network device to said imaging device, the unique identification information received from the network device after sending said imaging device, the unique identification information transmitted to the imaging apparatus A network system , wherein an image file including the unique identification information is stored as an image indicating the network device when an image file including the image file is received from the photographing apparatus . A system having a photographing device and a management device connected to a network,
The imaging device acquires identification information of a device connected to the network from the management device, adds the acquired identification information to a captured image and transmits the captured image to the management device,
The management device transmits the identification information of the device connected to the network to the imaging device , and the identification information transmitted to the imaging device after transmitting the identification information of the device connected to the network to the imaging device. When the image with the identification information added is received from the photographing apparatus, the image with the identification information added is stored as an image showing a device connected to the network.   The imaging apparatus acquires the identification information from the management apparatus via the network, adds the identification information to the captured image, and transmits the identification information to the management apparatus via the network. Item 4. The network system according to Item 3.   The management device transmits identification information of a device other than a device corresponding to the identification information added to the image and stored among the plurality of devices connected to the network to the imaging device via the network. The network system according to claim 4. A management method of a network system having an imaging device and a management device connected to a network,
By the imaging device, the identification information of the device connected to the network is acquired from the management device, the acquired identification information is added to the captured image and transmitted to the management device,
By the management device, and transmits the identification information of the device connected to the network to the imaging apparatus, after transmitting the identification information of the network device connected to the imaging device, the identification information transmitted to the imaging apparatus A network system management method comprising: storing an image to which the identification information is added as an image indicating a device connected to the network when an image to which the identification information is added is received from the photographing apparatus . The imaging apparatus acquires the identification information from the management apparatus via the network, adds the identification information to the captured image, and transmits the identification information to the management apparatus via the network. Item 7. The network system management method according to Item 6.   The management device transmits identification information of a device other than a device corresponding to the identification information added to the image and stored among the plurality of devices connected to the network to the photographing device via the network. The network system management method according to claim 7, wherein: A program for causing a computer to execute each step of management of a network system having a photographing device and a management device connected to a network,
By the imaging device, the identification information of the device connected to the network is acquired from the management device, the acquired identification information is added to the captured image and transmitted to the management device,
By the management device, and transmits the identification information of the device connected to the network to the imaging apparatus, after transmitting the identification information of the network device connected to the imaging device, the identification information transmitted to the imaging apparatus When an image to which the identification information is added is received from the photographing apparatus , the computer executes to store the image to which the identification information is added as an image indicating a device connected to the network .   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 9.

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